Gulu Launches Women Economic Empowerment Programme to Benefit 1,000 Women

What the report says

Dokolo Post reported that Gulu City has launched a Women Economic Empowerment Programme expected to support nearly 1,000 women. The programme is funded by the Gates Foundation and is being implemented by Stanbic Business Incubator Uganda in collaboration with Gulu City. According to the report, the launch took place on Friday in Gulu, northern Uganda.

The initiative is intended to provide women with training in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, alongside access to organised financial support. Gulu City Mayor Alfred Labeja, who launched the programme, said it was a timely effort to help women reduce reliance on costly or exploitative money lenders. He encouraged participants to put any support received into productive businesses that can generate lasting income for households.

Labeja also said the training could help beneficiaries take part more effectively in public livelihood programmes such as the Parish Development Model and the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund. Dokolo Post reported that Gulu City pledged to continue working with Stanbic Business Incubator Uganda to support implementation, with beneficiary training expected to start in August.

Women who attended the launch welcomed the programme, saying lack of affordable financing and business skills had constrained their small enterprises. The development matters because women’s access to finance, savings knowledge and business management skills can affect household income, local trade and poverty reduction efforts. The report framed the programme as part of broader work to expand financial inclusion and strengthen entrepreneurship among women in Gulu City.